Cardinals Prospect Interview: Brett Wiley

Brian Walton

08/16/2014

The State College Spikes infielder is back from suspension and anxious to make up for lost time.

On September 4, 2013, as the State College Spikes were preparing to enter their first-ever New York-Penn League post-season, infielder Brett Wiley was not among his teammates. That day, Minor League Baseball announced the suspension of the 22-year-old for a failed test for amphetamines.

50 games out is especially painful for a short-season player like Wiley since his next season would basically be limited to the month of August. While he participated in 2014 minor league spring training, the Indiana native was not in extended spring training camp, instead taking some time away from the game.

Returning to the Cardinals recently, Wiley ramped up his activities until re-joining the Spikes earlier this month. In eight games to date, the versatile infielder is just 5-for-25 (.200) with 10 strikeouts. On the positive side, three of his hits have gone for extra bases and his RBI count and hit count are equal at five.

In the following free interview, Wiley talks about his professional journey to date, his comeback as well as acknowledges his mistakes.